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Paignton kids' rugby row prompts awkward questions for Torbay Council

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Paignton v Teignmouth under-10s rugby at Torbay Park

Torbay councillors behind the decision to kick kids' rugby into touch in a Paignton park will face awkward questions from the other side of the chamber when they meet next week.

The council had originally decided to allow the eight and nine-year-olds from Paignton rugby club to play in Torbay Park on Sunday morning. But then that permission was rescinded after a complaint from a resident in Adelphi Road, which backs on to the park.

Torbay MP Kevin Foster has criticised the council’s ‘bizarre’ decision to stop children playing rugby in the park.

The complaints were made after the rugby club’s booking and payment had been taken and the pitch lines had been marked out, but before the park had been used. Paignton Rugby Club defied the ban and used the park as planned.

An online petition backing the youngsters has attracted more than 7,000 signatures.

Now the councillors behind the decision are to be put on the spot when they meet next Thursday. Liberal Democrat Cllr Ian Doggett has tabled a question for the council's executive lead for community services, Cllr Robert Excell, asking: "The reversal of the decision to allow Paignton Rugby Club to play on Torbay Park brings this council into disrepute.

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Then Torbay Mayor Gordon Oliver will be on the receiving end of a question from Liberal Democrat Adrian Sanders.

His question asks how the rugby ban meets the aims and aspirations of the Torbay Local Plan and council policies on promoting active lifestyles, getting young people playing sport, reducing diabetes risks and reducing crime and vandalism.